Lady Marion Anne Fraser

Lady Marion Anne Fraser was born Marion Anne Forbes in October 1932. She was educated at the Hutcheson’s Girls’ Grammar School in Glasgow before completing a degree at the University of Glasgow. Whilst she attended the University she was elected President of the Queen Margaret Union. She later also studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

Lady Marion Fraser worked as a music teacher, and became the Director for St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh between 1989 and 1995. She also acted as the Founding Chair of the Friends of the Royal Scottish Academy from 1986 to 1989, a Governor of the Laurel Bank School for Girls from 1988 to 1995, and a Director of Scottish Opera from 1990 to 1994.

She was created a Lady Companion of the Thistle in 1996, the first non-royal Lady to be awarded this title, and was made an Honorary Member of the Company of Merchants in the City of Edinburgh in 1998, . Lady Marion Fraser was awarded an honorary LLD degree by the University of Glasgow in 1995, and also given an honorary DUniv degree by the University of Stirling in 1998.

Lady Marion Fraser has been a trustee of the Scottish Churches Architectural Heritage Trust since 1989, and President of Scotland's Churches Scheme since 1997. She was trustee of the Lamp of Lothian Collegiate Trust from 1996 to 2005, and Chairman of the Board of Christian Aid from 1990-1997, and of both the Scottish International Piano Competition and the Scottish Association for Mental Health from 1995 to 1999. She served as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland from 1994 to 1995.

Lady Marion Fraser married William Kerr Fraser in 1956, who had also studied at the University of Glasgow and was a former President of the Student’s Representative Council. He was also a civil servant at the Scottish Office. William Kerr Fraser had been created a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1979, which was subsequently elevated to Knight Grand Cross, entitling his wife to be addressed as Lady Fraser, however she became Lady Marion Fraser in her own right.

Sir William Kerr Fraser was Principal of the University of Glasgow from 1988 until 1995, and also acted as Chancellor between 1996 and 2006. He was also awarded an LL.D by the University of Glasgow in 1982.